The Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General for Côte d'Ivoire, Mrs Aïchatou Mindaoudou, on Friday, 4 September 2015, officially handed over the keys of Katiola Cultural Centre rehabilitated with funds from the Quick Impact Project (QIPs) programme of the United Nations Operation in Côte d'Ivoire (UNOCI) at an inauguration ceremony.



On arrival from Bouaké where she had presided over the medal parade ceremony of the Ghana Aviation Unit (Ghav18), Mrs Mindaoudou expressed her joy at being once again in the capital of Hambol Region which is reputed for its hospitality. It was with great fanfare that local people along with their elected leaders and officials welcomed the Special Representative and her delegation.



"We remember when you came to launch the building work on the Centre some months ago and today you are here for the handover ceremony of the project », said the Mayor of Katiola, Mr. Thomas Camara told the Special Representative who was visiting the town for the third time.



Speaking on behalf of the Municipal Council, elected leaders and dignitaries, Mr. Camara expressed his gratitude to the chief of UNOCI in particular, and to the United Nations in general, for it that they had done to help the people of the region.



"UNOCI has carried out a visible, concrete and tangible action by rehabilitating the centre which was dilapidated due to the passage of time. The rehabilitation of the Centre has given a new life to this space which will reopen its doors to community, cultural and political activities, » said the Mayor.



The Special Representative stressed the need for the centre to become a place which brings people together and is open to all communities without exception. "We responded favourably to your request to rehabilitate this centre because UNOCI, as part of the implementation of its mandate, wanted to contribute to providing a place of communication, a melting pot, in short a place of social cohesion".



According to Mrs Mindaoudou, the centre should also serve as a place where communities can talk and exchange ideas. She expressed the hope meetings held at the Centre would promote peace, reconciliation and social cohesion.



The head of UNOCI urged the local authorities and people to ensure that the cultural centre becomes a place where all sorts of people can meet without any consideration for their ethnicity, political beliefs and religion. She also expressed the hope that the cultural centre will be used to sensitise people on the importance of creating a peaceful electoral environment.



The secretary-general of the Prefecture, Mr. Gilbert Gbagbeu appealed to people to adopt an open attitude and ensure that the use of the centre increases by organsing several activities. « We should give the kind of life to the centre that it deserves,» he added.



The ceremony ended with a visita round the cultural centre which has a capacity of 2000 places.